President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has come under fire over the arraignment of underaged 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters.
It was reported that there was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday when no fewer than four children, among the 76 defendants, billed for arraignment over their involvement in the August #EndBadGovernance protest held across the country, collapsed during their trial.
The protest in which the suspects allegedly participated was held between August 1 to 10 to demand for end bad governance in the country.
The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, earlier charged 11 of the protesters before Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court on alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Gombe over the 10-day protest which resulted in violence and killings in parts of the country.
However, when the matter was called on Friday, I-G’s lawyer, Audu Garba, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment of the 76 defendants, who had been in detention.
Shortly after they were called into the dock to take their plea, four of the children slumped in the open court.
The four of them were Usman Fatihu (21 years), Muhammed Yahaya (14 years), Muktar Ishak Alhassan (16 years) and Mustapha Ibrahim (18 years).
They are 68th, 74th, 75th, and 76th defendants respectively in the 10-count charge bordering on treason, among other offences.
The trial judge, Obiora Egwuatu, abruptly stood down the trial and rose.
Justice Egwuatu came back some minutes later to continue with the trial.
Court Grants N10m Bail Each To 67 Minors
After the trial resumed, Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted bail to about 67 minors to the tune of N10m each out of the 76 that were arraigned for participating in the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests.
Those granted bail, who are below 15 years, are expected to present one surety who must be a civil servant.
At the arraignment proceedings on Friday, Nura Ibrahim (24 years old) and 75 others (ages ranging from 14 to 30) were accused of acting in concert with Andrew Martin Wynne to destabilize Nigeria.
They were alleged to have attacked and injured police officers and burned police stations, the High Court Complex, the NCC Complex, the Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency office, and the NURTW office, similar to accusations levelled against ten protesters in another court.
Audu Garba, counsel for the prosecution, asked the court to discharge four of the defendants who fell ill in court, adding that they would be re-arraigned once they recover following medical treatment.
Justice Egwatu ruled that since the charges against the four defendants had been withdrawn by the prosecution, “their names are struck out.”
After the ten-count charge was read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty, allowing their legal team to apply for bail.
The prosecution stated that bail remained within the discretionary purview of the court, irrespective of relevant laws.
In ruling on the bail, Justice Egwatu noted that some of the defendants were under 18 years old, and the defendant’s lawyers had promised not to interfere with the trial or destroy evidence.
He also noted that the prosecution did not contest the defendants’ submissions.
“The defendants are granted bail in the sum of N10 million each,” the judge said, directing the defendants to provide sureties in a like sum, which must include a civil servant and their parent or sibling.
He ordered the adults to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Service, while the minors would be remanded in the Borstal Home of the Correctional Service.
The case was then adjourned to January 24, 2025, for a hearing. In the second arraignment of 42 protesters before the same judge, he equally granted N10 million bail each to them with two sureties in like sum.
Atiku blasts Tinubu, says his government has no human feelings
Reacting to the development, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the arrest, detention, and arraignment of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters.
In a statement on his X platform (formerly Twitter), Atiku expressed his outrage, saying, “A disturbing video of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has come to my attention. The horrible scene, reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp, once again reflects the low value this government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.”
He emphasized the importance of protecting children’s rights, referencing Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which guarantees the dignity of every child. He quoted the Act, stating, “Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be subjected to physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; nor shall any child be subjected to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”
Atiku criticized the delay in the arraignment of these children, noting, “The children are being prosecuted for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests that occurred between August 1 and August 10, 2024. If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the dehumanizing conditions they have endured during their detention.”
He expressed his disappointment that a leader who once fought for Nigeria’s democracy and led protests is now demonizing those who peacefully protest against the impacts of his harsh policies.
“Children, who are among the most affected by these policies, have every right to protest peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act. A nation can be assessed by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T Pain,” he said.
Atiku concluded by stating, “The disturbing conditions under which the accused children were brought to court only reinforce the justification for their participation in the protests in the first place.”
Stop prosecution of minors – Ezekwesili
Similarly, former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to order the immediate stop to prosecution of the minors.
Ezekwesili took to her X handle @obyezeks, to call out Tinubu on the prosecution of the protesters.
Captioned ‘LETTER TO @officialABAT’, Ezekwesili said: “Here is the sordid evidence of the @NigeriaGov punishing your citizens for daring to tell you the truth of #BadGovernance by your administration.
“No one can ever solve a Problem they deny and refuse to own. No one. Agitation to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria is shared by overwhelming majority of your citizens. For real. How many of your Citizens can you take to court like done to these minors? How many of your Citizens can you detain and deprive of their freedoms like done to these minors?
“Hear me. No ruler has ever won against their people forever. Check history. Note that I wrote ruler and not leader.
“The repressive class of politicians in Nigeria are not leaders. You all have serially failed the “test of leadership” because you act as wicked rulers who feel entitled to the “publicly-funded luxurious life” while repressing and pauperizing the citizens.
“Second, @officialABAT, the evident corrupted capture of our Judiciary by the @NigeriaGov is playing out daily on Candid Camera before the eyes of the world. The trial of these minors is one of many examples these days.
“Stop the wicked prosecution of these minors immediately and send the children back to their parents and guardians.
“Next, ensure that they are compensated for the physical, mental, emotional and overall psychological damage you have done to them by abusing the powers of the Nigerian State and grossly violating their constitutional rights.
“When those children came out to protest asking you to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, they were telling you the “Truth and nothing but the Truth”.
“I hope you start listening to what majority of your Citizens especially these children are telling you daily:
“Ebi npawa” , “we are hungry”. Nothing lasts forever. Today is not Forever.”
Isa Ali Pantami sends message to police
Similarly, Isa Ali Pantami, ex-minister of Communications and Digital Economy has sent massage to the police on the development.
In a letter issued on his X handle, he wrote; “Dear Inspector General of Police, @PoliceNG
“I am writing to bring to your attention a disturbing video I recently came across (shared below), showing minors appearing in court in a visibly malnourished and sickly state. This is unacceptable in any decent society.
“As a compassionate society, it is our collective duty to protect the most vulnerable among us, particularly children. Ensuring their safety, well-being, and justice is not only a moral obligation but also a fundamental human right.
“In the Child’s Rights Act 2003, Section 11, it is states that, Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be ‐ (a) subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment…
“I respectfully request that you investigate this matter urgently and take necessary actions to:
“1). Ensure the immediate care and protection of these children;
“2). Identify and hold accountable those responsible for their condition; and
“3). Prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
“Protecting the weak and vulnerable is a cornerstone of justice, and I trust that your office, in collaboration with other institutions, will take this matter seriously.
“Thank you in anticipation for your prompt attention.”
